Blessing of the Fleet - 20 years May 31, 2009

Our Blessing of the Fleet in Airlie Beach is held each year On Whitsun Day or Pentecost Sunday as our special day.

A Blessing of the Fleet is part of the activities of many seaside and fishing communities around the world. Here in Whitsunday, we celebrate Whitsun Day and the naming of our area by James Cook in 1770.

Whitsun or Pentecost Sunday is on different dates each year as is Easter. Cook and his crew sailed through the magnificent passage he named Whitsunday on his voyage of adventure and discovery. In addition, Cook named Pentecost Island for the religious occasion.

If you saw the movie "The Perfect Storm," then you know how dangerous it can be to fish for a living or work and on the sea.

Indeed, traditional services of songs, prayers and scriptures focus on the reality reflected in the ancient Breton fisherman's prayer "O Lord, the sea is so wide and my boat is so small. Protect me."

Special thanks, recognition and prayers are given to those who serve on the sea, those of the Navy, merchant service, and the Water Police and rescue services who do a dangerous job to benefit all.

Father Keith Felgate was inspired to conduct an annual blessing of the fleet here at Whitsunday in 1989.

"As we conduct the Blessing of the Fleet on Whitsun Day my thoughts turn to Father Keith who in his retirement is no doubt also thinking of us" says co-founder Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom

"Father Keith gave me 'the call' so we formed the Blessing committee of two," Cap'n Dan recalls. "We knew the committee was too big, but it was a nice number to get together over a couple of beers and plan the Blessing."

Rev John Williams also contributed as an organiser and a sailor. In 2003, Rev Father Don Fernance of the Mission to Seafarers in Townsville conducted our service when Whitsun coincided with the Airlie Beach Rotary Boat Show.

For the last four years the Blessing has been conducted by Terry Ayling, minister of the Uniting Church who will again rise to the occasion on Whitsun Day.

The Blessing of the Fleet on Whit Sunday is for those who go down to the sea in ships as, 'sailors are atheists, except when in a storm at sea.'

Community groups are invited to participate in the Blessing on the seafront lawn at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. For further information please contact the club or Cap'n Dan Van Blarcom
my.events@hotmail.com

Festival of the Wind 2008

A Weekend of Activities – including the 19th Annual Blessing of the Fleet
Friday May 9, Saturday May 10 and Whit-Sunday May 11

In Airlie Beach and on the Whitsunday islands Daydream, Hamilton, Hayman & Pentecost.

For nearly 20 years, the Whitsunday Sailing Club has held an annual 'Blessing of the Fleet' Event on Whitsunday - the anniversary of the day in 1770 when Captain James Cook sailed into and named the Whitsunday Passage in recognition of the Christian festival of Pentecost - Whit-Sunday
For the last five years, (Rev) Terry Ayling, the Uniting Church Whitsunday Tourism Chaplain has conducted the 'Blessing of the Fleet'. This year, in conjunction with Spirited Communities & the Whitsunday Sailing Club, we are hosting the Whitsundays second 'Festival of the Wind' celebration to be held over the weekend of Friday 09 May - Sunday 11 May 2008.
This community event, provides many opportunities for electronic and print media exposure including:
• 'Guest Catamaran Regatta' Island Resorts Saturday
• ' Sunrise Gathering', Pentecost Island 0630 Sunday
• 'Flag Parade', Airlie Beach Foreshore 1030 Sunday
• 'Blessing of the Fleet', Whitsunday SC 1100 Sunday
• Kite Flying @ Catseye, Hamilton Island 1630 Sunday
• Beach Picnic @ Catseye, Hamilton Island 1700 Sunday
• Whitsunday Beach Celebration Hamilton Is 1800 Sunday

Dignitaries will include Rev Dr David Pitman, Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod.
We encourage and welcome your participation in this second 'Festival of the Wind' celebration.

Information &/or Interviews:
(Rev) Terry Ayling,
Uniting Church in Australia ,
Whitsunday Tourism Chaplain
Email: terry.ayling@spiritedcommunities.com.au
Mobile: 0407 105 071